Our Parish

Mayfield Church

Newbattle Church

Newtongrange Church

Mining Museum

A Guide to Newbattle Church

We are a friendly, inclusive evangelical congregation who meet for Family Worship every Sunday at 10.00 am with activities for children. The Kirkbank Centre is available for community groups and family functions. Visitors and friends, old and new, always welcome!

About Us

The Parish of Newbattle is part of the Church of Scotland and includes the communities of Newbattle, Newtongrange, Mayfield, Easthouses and Gowkshill. Newbattle Church was built in the early 18th century, replacing the old Medieval Church that had fallen into a poor state of repair. Many of the stones from the old church were used in the rebuilding, with some of the memorials and pulpit also being transferred.

Location:

Newbattle Church and the Kirkbank Centre are situated on Newbattle Road, about 150 metres north from the entrance to Newbattle Abbey College. The postcode of the church is EH22 3LQ.

The Church has its own car park located to the rear of the building. We are also served by a regular bus service - First Bus X95 (Edinburgh – Hawick)

Worship

The congregation meet for family worship every Sunday at 10.00 am with activities for children. The Newbattle Praise Band regularly supports the worship. The service usually lasts for 1 hour and includes hymns and songs old and new, prayers and readings from the Bible, and informative preaching that is anchored in the Bible and earthed in the contemporary world. Following the service, tea and coffee are served in the church.

Traditional Services are held every Sunday at 11.30 am in Newtongrange Church & Mayfield and Easthouses Church.

Special services for Easter and Christmas, Messy Church, Evening Services and United Parish Celebrations of Holy Communion are as intimated.

Children and Young People

At Newbattle, we strive to be family friendly. Our Junior Church is present for the first part of the service and then meets in the Kirkbank Centre for crafts, story telling etc. We also hold a Messy Church Service at Mayfield and Easthouses Church on the first Tuesday of every month, which also includes a meal. (No need to cook for that evening!) For information about Junior Church or Messy Church please contact Erika Pryde, tel

Parents with very young children are invited to use the Vestry during the service, or the open area to the North part of the church where toys and games are available.

Every Wednesday morning (10.00 am to 11.30 am during term time) the church run an adults and toddler's group. Please contact Wilma Black for more information

Every Tuesday and Friday morning (10.00 am to 11.30 am) at Newtongrange Church Hall, we run Jelly Tots, a lively group of parents/carers and children up to 4 years of age.

The Kirkbank Centre

The Kirkbank Centre is available for community groups and family functions. For more information about price and availability, please contact the Hall Convenor.

Toilets

Toilets, baby changing and facilities for the disabled are located in the Kirkbank Centre situated at the rear of the church across the car park. The Kirkbank Centre is always kept open during worship.

Contact Information

Messages can be left on the Church Office answer phone (24 hours), tel. 0131 663 3245

Enquires about booking the Kirkbank Centre can be made to Halls Convenor: kirkbankcentre@newbattleparish.org

Website

Our website, regularly updated contains more detailed information about our groups and activities can be found at www.newbattleparish.org

Pastoral Care

The minister supported by members of the ministry and pastoral team are always available to speak (or listen) and offer pastoral support. Please feel free contact any member of the team knowing that you will be treated with respect, confidentiality in a non-judgemental way.

Baptism and the Thanksgiving and Blessing of a child.

We welcome enquires about baptism and the thanksgiving and blessing of a child. These normally take place during our 10.00 am Family Service. For more information, please contact any member of the ministry team.

Weddings and Wedding Blessings

Our historic parish Kirk makes a wonderful location for the celebration of your wedding or wedding blessing. Planned in conjunction with the couple, the ministry team strive to offer a meaningful celebration within the Christian tradition. For more information, please contact any member of the ministry team.

Funerals

The loss of a loved one can be a devastating experience. At Newbattle, we strive to offer a compassionate and caring ministry of pastoral care, which includes conducting funeral and memorial services within the Christian tradition, in the church, at the cemetary or in the crematorium chapel. These do not have to be dreary Victorian style services, but a dignified and uplifting celebration of a life well lived. We are also happy for our church premises to be used by visiting clergy or celebrants within the Christian tradition for interments taking place at the nearby Newbattle Cemetery. For more information, please contact any member of the ministry team.

Church Membership

If you would like to know more about becoming a member of the church (also known as conformation) or would like to transfer your membership to or from another congregation, please contact any member of the ministry team.

Supporting the Church

The Church receives no income from the government and is supported solely from the giving of its friends and members. An information leaflet 'Supporting the Church' gives more details about supporting the church via Gift Aid and regular donations through Free Will Offering envelopes or a monthly standing order. Our Stewardship Convenor, Mr Alan Marshall, tel. is always available to any questions about these. If you would like to make a one off gift or donation or wish more information, please contact the Treasurer, Mrs Tracy Teesdale, .email.

Faith and Spirituality

Within the parish we offer a number of different opportunities for Christian fellowship and learning more about our faith. These include Bible Study, Prayer meetings, The Alpha Course (Youth and Adult) and a Book Group. For more information about what is currently on offer, please visit the church website or speak to any member of the ministry team. The ministry team are also available to explore with you any issue relating to faith or spirituality or pastoral concerns.